Apparatus for joining glass parts



F b- 1968 J. D. MALLORY ETAL 3,367,824

APPARATUS FOR JOINING GLASS PARTS Origianl Filed Dec. 5, 1962 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORJ Mrs D- Mm-Lafir Feb. 6, 1968 J. D. MALLORY ETALAPPARATUS FOR JOINING GLASS PARTS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Origianl Filed Dec.3, 1962 W; N, I 9 J z n A J United States Patent 3,367,824 APPARATUS FORJOINING GLASS PARTS James D. Mallory, Maumee, and L. D. Ryan, Kansas,Ohio, assignors to Owens-Illinois, Inc., a corporation of Ohio Originalapplication Dec. 3, 1962, Ser. No. 241,629, now Patent No. 3,262,828,dated July 26, 1966. Divided and this application Nov. 22, 1965, Ser.No. 509,051

8 Claims. (Cl. 156-563) This is a divisional of application Ser. No.241,629, filed Dec. 3, 1962, now US. Patent No. 3,262,828.

This invention relates to an apparatus for applying glass handles toglass articles. More specifically, this invention relates to anapparatus for applying glass handles to the side wall of glass tumblerswith an epoxy resin to form tankards or mugs.

It has been the practice in the past to form tankards or mugs by pressforming a charge or gob of molten glass into a unitary handle and bodymold. Obviously, such a mold would have to be of a two-piece type, splitalong a plane passing through the center of the handle and diametricallyacross the body of the ware. A tankard or mug formed in such a fashionwill result in mold marks along the split line in the form of a raised,somewhat unsightly seam.

A second method is where the body portion or tumbler portion of the wareis formed in a blow molding process and a separately formed handle isjoined to the tumbler. It has been the practice to join the handle tothe tumbler by remelting or softening a portion of the tumbler and thehandle portion which is to be joined to the tumbler in order to fuse thetwo pieces together. Obviously, this process involves considerableexpense and time in reheating and additionally, there is always thepossibility of distarting the tumbler by the reheating process. Afurther drawback in welding the handles to the tumblers by reheating andfusion, is the setting up of stresses within the ware due to thereheating, which stresses may weaken the body or tumbler portion of theware.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of this invention to provideapparatus for joining a handle to the side wall of a tumbler whichrequires little or no heating.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide apparatus forhandling a plurality of tumblers and handles and for conveying andassembling the handles to the tumblers in predetermined sequence.

It is a further object of this invent-ion to provide apparatus forconveying oriented tumblers and handles through a sequence of steps inwhich an epoxy resin is deposited on the tumbler and the handlepositioned and hold in contact with the side of the tumbler where theepoxy is applied.

' Other and further objects will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawing,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the handle joining apparatus of theinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatuswhere the epoxy is applied and the handle is moved into contact with thetumbler.

With reference to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention comprisesa pair of spaced-apart continuously running conveyors 10 and 11. Theconveyor 10 is continuously running in the direction of the arrow shownthereon and the conveyor 11 is continuously running in the oppositedirection, as is indicated by the arrow shown thereon. These conveyorsare adapted to carry a plurality of tumbler and handle supporting jigs12. Both conveyors are of the flexible belt type and are supportedthroughout their travel by a plurality of rollers 13 so as to maintain asubstantially planar upper surface. The rollers are supported in channelmembers 14 which extend throughout the length of the conveyors, it beingunderstood that the channel members are mounted on suitable supportinglegs 15 so as to maintain the conveyors at a convenient level above thefloor.

The forward end of the conveyor 10 is joined to the receiving end of theconveyor 11 by a slideway 16 and the forward end of the conveyor 11 isjoined to the receiving end of the conveyor 10 by a similar slideway 17.An upstanding guide bar 18 extends along one side of the slideway 16 andalso extends across the width of both conveyor 10 and conveyor 11. Thisguide bar 18 serves as a means for limiting the movement of the jigs inthe direction of travel of the conveyor 10. Also, during trans fer ofthe jigs from the conveyor 10 to the conveyor 11, the guide bar servesto retain the jigs in straight line motion. The end of the guide bar,which extends over the conveyor 11, has a member 19 joined thereto atright angles which serves to limit the extent of movement of a jig beingtransferred onto the conveyor 11. The structure of the slideway 16 iscompleted by an elongated plate extending vertically upward from thesurface of the Slideway 16 and spaced from the guide bar 18 a distancesufficient to permit movement of a jig therebetween. Thus it can be seenthat a jig being transferred from the conveyor 10 to the conveyor 11will be confined to a relatively straight line path.

The transfer of a jig 12 from the conveyor 10 to the conveyor 11 isaccomplished by operation of a fluid motor 20 having a pusher plate 21connected to the piston rod 22 thereof.

As can be seen when viewing FIG. 1, the pusher plate 21 has an elongatedskirt member 23 connected to the edge thereof closest to the member 19.The skirt member extends rearwardly of the pusher plate 21 for aconsiderable distance and operates to prevent a jig from being moved bythe conveyor 10 into position in back of the pusher plate during themovement of the pusher plate in its operation of pushing a jig onto theconveyor 11. In other words, a jig which approaches the forward end ofthe conveyor 10 will be prevented from moving into pushing positionuntilsuch time as the pusher plate has been fully retracted. Actuationof the fluid motor 20 is controlled by a switch mechanism 24 mountedadjacent the forward end of the conveyor 10 and having an actuator arm25 extending into the path of movement of a loaded jig 12. Movement of ajig into transfer position at the forward end of the conveyor 10physically contacts the arm 25 to operate the switch mechanism 24. Itshould be understood that the switch mechanism 24 may be of theelectrical type and operative to control the positioning of a solenoidvalve (not shown), which solenoid valve, as is well known in the art,will control the application of fluid under pressure selectively to themotor 20.

The operation of the transfer mechanism, as described above, isduplicated at the position of the slideway 17 which joins the forwardend of the conveyor 11 to the rearward end of the conveyor 10. As canreadily be seen, a fluid motor 26 connected to a pusher plate 27 by apiston rod 28 will serve to move a jig from the conveyor 11 to theconveyor 10 in the direction of the arrow 29.

The slideway 17 also is formed with a guide bar 30 and guide member 31so as to confine the movement of a jig to straight line motion from theforward end of the conve or 11 to the rearward end of the conveyor 10.Operation of the motor 26 is under the control of a switch 32 having anoperating arm 33 extending in the path of travel of jigs being conveyedby the conveyor 11. Thus it can be seen that the jigs 12 (only a few ofwhich are shown in FIG. 1) are moved continuously in a generallyrectangular, horizontal path at spaced-apart intervals.

After the jigs have been moved in the direction of the arrow 34 from theforward end of the conveyor t0 the rearward or receiving end of theconveyor 11, which is continuously driven in the direction of the arrowshown thereon, the jigs will be moved into contact with a stop rod 35which extends normal to the direction of movement of the conveyor andspaced a relatively short distance above the surface of the conveyor 11.The stop rod 35 prevents the continued travel of a jig with the conveyor11, and the conveyor will slide beneath the under surface of the jig 12.Movement of the jig .into contact with the stop rod 35 also moves apivotal arm 36 of a micro switch 37. The switch 37 is a double contacttype switch which completes a circuit connected to the epoxy resindispensing mechanism, generally designated 38.

The epoxy dispenser is a commercial item of the Automatic ProcessControl Company sold under the trade name Microshot Hydrospenser. Thedetails of the Hydrospenser are not described, inasmuch as this is acommercially available unit. It should be understood that theHydrospenser is supplied from tanks containing an epoxy and a secondtank containing a hardener, with the epoxy and hardener being premixedjust before passing through the drop forming portion of theHydrospenser.

The particular compositions of the epoxy resin and hardener do not formpart of this invention except to the extent that they are disposed indrop form on the side wall of a glass article to which a glass handle isto be applied. The specific compositions are disclosed in the copendingapplication of L. J. Wells, Ser. No. 212,141, filed July 24, 1962, nowUS. Patent No. 3,297,186, and assigned to the assignee of thisapplication.

The mixing unit 39 receives metered amounts of epoxy and hardener,wherein the mixing unit, by reason of its design, mixes the twoingredients together and the mixture is then dispensed through thedispensing tube 40 in the form of a drop which is adapted to fall on theside wall of a glass article such as a tumbler. The dotted circle 41 ofFIG. 2 illustrates the approximate area which a single drop will cover.The operation and actuation of the Microshot Hydrospenser is under thecontrol of the micro switch 37 through leads 42.

The switch 37 also actuates a time delay relay switch 43. The switch 43is connected to the switch 37 by leads 44. The output of the time delayswitch 43 is connected to a solenoid operated spool valve 45. The spoolvalve 45 is mounted to the side of a horizontally extending frame member46 in any suitable manner. Fluid under pressure is supplied to the spoolvalve through a pipe 47 and the position of the valve spool determinesthe selectice communication of the pipe 47 with the two outlet pipes 48and 49. Two exhaust pipes 50 and 51 are connected to the spool valve 45,it being understood that When the spool of the valve 45 is positioned bythe solenoid, so as to supply fluid under pressure through the pipe 48,the pipe 49 will be connected to the exhaust pipe 51 and by the sametoken when fluid under pressure is supplied to the pipe 49, the pipe 48will be connected to the exhaust pipe 50. The spool valve 45 is of thespring return type with its valve spool normally positioned by thespring so that fluid under pressure is fed to the pipe 49. The pipes 48and 49 are connected to opposite ends of a fluid motor 52 whose pistonrod is the stop rod 35.

The motor 52 is reversed by actuation of the solenoid so as to withdrawthe stop rod 35 from in front of the jig 12 after the Hydrospenser 38has delivered a drop of epoxy resin and hardener on the tumbler sidewall. The time delay, between actuation of the Hydrospenser and thedeposit of epoxy on the tumbler, is accomplished by the time delay relayswitch 43. With the withdrawal of the stop rod 35, the jig will movewith the conveyor 11 to the right, as viewed in FIG. 2, and trip anactuating arm 53 of a second micro switch 54. The arm 53 is biased by aspring 55 to return to the position shown in the drawings. Actuation ofthe micro switch 54 will control the positioning of a spool valve (notshown), in a manner similar to spool valve 45 and a fluid motor 56, towhich it is connected. Thus the switch 54 will control the operation ofthe fluid motor 56.

Tripping of the switch 54 Will cause the fluid motor 56 to be actuatedto move its piston rod 57 outwardly thereof. The rod 57 carries, at itsouter end, a cross member 58 having-forwardly extending ends which areadapted to pivotally support a roller 59 therebetween. As can best beseen in FIG. 2, the jigs l2 carry a handle 60 which controls theposition of a glass handle retaining portion of the jig. With movementof the jig to the right. as viewed in FIG. 2, and after actuation of theswitch 54, the roller 59 is moved into contact with the handle 60 andwill move the handle 60 until it is vertically positioned, at which timethe glass handle, carried by the jig, will be generally pressed againstthe side of the tumbler at the location where the epoxy resin has beendeposited. After the jigs have moved an amount sufficient to clear thearm 53, the arm will be returned by the spring 55 to the position shown.Opening of the micro switch 54 will reverse the motor 56, thusretracting roller 59 into position preparatory to operating on the nextjig.

After the glass handle is applied to the side of the tumbler andretained there by the positioning of handle 60, the jigs will continueto be moved by the conveyor 11 through a heat treating zone, generallydesignated 61. The heat treating is provided by conveying the jigs pastan infrared burner 62. The details of the infrared burner will not bedescribed, inasmuch as this is a commercially available unit supplied byHupp Corporation.

The conveyor 11 is operated at a speed sufiicient to insure that thejigs will be under the infrared burner for approximately two minutes toinsure complete curing of the resin in the shortest possible time. Afterpassing through the heating zone 61, the jigs will be transferred fromthe end of the conveyor 11 to the conveyor 10 and during the travel ofthe jigs on the conveyor 10, the jigs will be opened and the tumblerswith attached handles removed from the jigs. Also, while the jigs are onthe conveyor 10, tumblers will be loaded in the jigs and separatehandles will also be fitted in the handle-holding portion of the jig.-

It has been found that for optimum operation, the speeds of the twoconveyors be such that the jigs will be on both conveyors a minimum ofnine minutes and a maximum of ten minutes. The infrared burner 62, whichconcentrates its heat output on the juncture of the handle and tumbler,operates in the temperature range of F. to 400 P. which is sufiicient tohasten the curing of the epoxy during the two minutes that the heat isapplied. By the time the jig has been transferred to the conveyor 10,curing will be complete.

While the above described apparatus is fully automatic in its operation,with the exception of the requirement that the jigs be loaded andunloaded by hand, it should be kept in mind that the dispensing of theepoxy onto the tumbler side wall and the moving of the glass handle intocontact with the side wall of the tumbler may be accomplished by manualoperation. With this in mind, a foot treadle 63 is provided which willoperate the epoxy dispenser and an operator may position the jigs underthe dispenser by hand, press the foot treadle and then manually move thehandle 60 into an upright position to apply the glass handle to the sidewall of the tumbler.

While applicants have shown and described a specific apparatus by whichthe invention may be performed, it should be understood that theinvention should not be limited by the specific embodiment described,but only by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for applying glass handles to glass articles comprising, afirst horizontal endless conveyor, means for continuously driving saidfirst conveyor in one direction, a plurality of article and handlesupporting jigs adapted to rest on said conveyor and be moved thereby,an epoxy resin drop former positioned adjacent the receiving end of andoverlying said conveyor, a first switch mounted adjacent said conveyorand having its actuating arm extending in the path of travel of a jigafter the drop of epoxy resin has been applied to the article, and meansresponsive to the actuation of said first switch for moving the glasshandle into contact with the epoxy drop on the side of the article.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means normallyoverlying said first conveyor for interrupting the movement of a jig asit passes beneath said drop former, and second switch means responsiveto movement of a jig into position beneath the drop former forenergizing the drop former and initiating the removal of the jigstopping means.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including an elongatedheater mounted over said conveyor and extending parallel to saidconveyor for substantially curing the epoxy resin after the handle is incontact therewith.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 2, further including a secondhorizontal endless conveyor laterally spaced from and coextensive withsaid first conveyor, means for continuously driving said second conveyorin a direction opposite to said first conveyor, a pair of horizontalslideways respectively joining the ends of the conveyors, reciprocatingmotor means mounted adjacent the ends of said slideways for transferringjigs from the forward end of one conveyor to the delivery end of theother conveyor, third switch means mounted adjacent the forward ends ofsaid conveyors, and means connecting the switch means to said motormeans.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4, further including means forheating the epoxy resin juncture between the handle and article for aperiod of two minutes in the temperature range of 150 F. to 450 F., andwherein the total time for a jig to complete one cycle is between nineand ten minutes.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a secondhorizontal endless conveyor laterally spaced from and coextensive withsaid first conveyor, means for continuously driving said second conveyorin a direction opposite to said first conveyor, means in the form ofhorizontal slideways joining the ends of the conveyors, reciprocatingmotor means mounted adjacent the ends of said slideways for transferringjigs from the forward end of one conveyor to the delivery end of theother conveyor, second switch means mounted adjacent the forward ends ofsaid conveyors, means connecting the switch means to said motor means,and means mounted over said first conveyor and extending along asubstantial length of said first conveyor beyond the epoxy resindispenser for subjecting the epoxy resin on the article to a temperaturein the range of F. to 450 F. for approximately two minutes whereby theepoxy resin is substantially cured and the handle is permanentlyattached to the article.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 11, further including a secondhorizontal endless conveyor laterally spaced from and coextensive withsaid first conveyor, means for continuously driving said second conveyorin a direction opposite to said first conveyor, means in the form ofhorizontal slideways joining the ends of the conveyors, reciprocatingmotor means mounted adjacent the ends of said slideways for sliding jigsfrom the forward end of one conveyor to the delivery end of the otherconveyor, second switch means mounted adjacent the forward ends of saidconveyors, and means connecting the second switch means to said motormeans.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim '7, further including meansextending along a substantial length of said first conveyor, beyond thehandle applying means, for heat curing the epoxy resin interposed thehandle and article.

No references cited.

EARL M. BERGERT, Primary Examiner. M. L. KATZ, Assistant Examiner.

1. APPARATUS FOR APPLYING GLASS HANDLES TO GLASS ARTICLES COMPRISING, AFIRST HORIZONTAL ENDLESS CONVEYOR, MEANS FOR CONTINUOUSLY DRIVING SAIDFIRST SONVEYOR IN ONE DIRECTION, A PLURALITY OF ARTICLE AND HANDLESUPPORTING JIGS ADAPTED TO REST ON SAID CONVEYOR AND BE MOVED THEREBY,AN EPOXY RESIN DROP FORMER POSITIONED ADJACENT THE RECEIVING END OF THEOVERLYING SAID CONVEYOR, A FIRST SWITCH MOUNTED ADJACENT SAID CONVEYORAND HAVING ITS ACTUATING ARM EXTENDING IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF A JIGAFTER THE DROP OF EPOXY RESIN HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE ARTICLE, AND MEANSRESPONSIVE TO THE ACTUATION OF SAID FIRST SWITCH FOR MOVING THE GLASSHANDLE INTO CONTACT WITH THE EPOXY DROP ON THE SIDE OF THE ARTICLE.